#154 How do you get chickenpox? w/ Sarah Holper. Why are gorse bushes so prickly? Why does air make crisps soggy?

More from Everything Under The Sun All episodes →

1. 

   19 Sep 2025 · 14 min

   #159 Why do reptiles lay eggs and mammals don't? w/ Felix Marx. How do babies learn how to talk? When did people start keeping cats as pets?

   Welcome to Episode #159 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Dr Felix Marx, palaeontologist, biologist and curator at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa! He explains why reptiles lay eggs and mammals don't. 🥚 We learn about the complicated process of how babies learn how to talk! And when people started keeping cats as pets! 🐈 Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk ! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : )…

2. 

   10 Sep 2025 · 14 min

   #158 Everything Under The Sun - All around the world, the book!

   Welcome to Episode #158 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re joined by the brilliant James Maclaine , fish curator at the Natural History Museum in London to answer a fishy question, why do Anglerfish have lights on their heads? We find out about life as a wombat and why they do square poos? And why ice cream is SO yummy! Each answer is from Molly Oldfield's new BOOK, Everything Under The Sun, all around the world. Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk ! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under…

3. 

   7 May 2025 · 17 min

   #157 Can Beetles Talk To Ants? w/ Ben Hoare. How Are Candles Made? Where does the water for a river come from?

   Welcome to Episode #157 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Ben Hoare , nature writer and author of Animal Partnerships , to help us answer a bug-tastic question—can beetles talk to ants? Then, we’ll melt into the world of wax and wicks to discover how candles are made. And finally, we’ll follow the flow to find out where the water in a river actually comes from. Get ready for another illuminating episode full of nature, science, and wonder! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4. 

   25 Apr 2025 · 14 min

   #156 How Do You Become A Chess Grandmaster? w/ FunMaster Mike Klein. Why Do Countries Have Capital Cities? Why Do Lemurs Have Stripey Tails?

   Welcome to Episode #156 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re joined by the brilliant and always entertaining FunMaster Mike Klein —chess expert, educator, and all-around fun guy—to help us answer a seriously strategic question: how do you become a grandmaster in chess? Next, we’ll zoom out to explore the world map and ask: why do countries have capital cities? And finally, we’ll swing over to Madagascar to uncover the reason behind those stylish stripes—why are lemurs’ tails so stripy? Get ready for a brainy, bouncy episode full of games,…

5. 

   18 Apr 2025 · 15 min

   #155 Why Do We Hear the Sea in Seashells? w/ Helen Scales. Why Do Eggs Have Yolks? Why Are Sheepdogs So Intelligent?

   Welcome to Episode #154 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Helen Scales—marine biologist, author of The Sea’s Lure , and expert in all things oceanic—to answer a fascinating question: Why do we hear the sea in seashells? Then, we’ll dive into the natural world to explore the mystery behind why eggs have yolks inside them. And finally, we’ll uncover the secret to why sheepdogs are so incredibly intelligent. Get ready for another episode filled with marine wonders, biological curiosities, and a little canine genius! See…

6. 

   28 Mar 2025 · 13 min

   #153 How was sign language invented? w/ Rose Ayling-Ellis. How do submarines sink? Why do skunk's stink?

   *For a transcription of today's episode please visit our social media @itseverythingunderthesun * This week, we’re joined by the amazing Rose Ayling-Ellis , actress and advocate for the Deaf community, to help us explore a fascinating question—how was sign language invented? Then, we’ll take a deep dive into the mechanics of submarines to find out how they sink and resurface. And finally, we’ll uncover the science behind one of nature’s stinkiest creatures—why do skunks smell so bad? Get ready for another exciting episode filled with history, science, and…

7. 

   21 Mar 2025 · 14 min

   #152 Which flower has the most petals? w/ Carlos Lehnebach. Which dog is the best at smelling? Which daffodils are there in the world?

   Welcome to Episode #152 of Everything Under the Sun – Spring Special! 🌸🌿 This week, we’re celebrating spring with a flower-filled episode! We’re joined by the fantastic Carlos Lehnebach , a botanist and flower expert, to help us answer a blooming brilliant question—which flower has the most petals? Then, we’ll turn to our four-legged friends and sniff out the answer to another great question—which dog has the best sense of smell? And finally, we’ll return to the world of flowers to explore even more about the plant with the most petals! Get ready for…

8. 

   14 Mar 2025 · 15 min

   #151 How Did Ancient Egyptians Blow Their Noses? w/ Justin Pollard. How do hedgehogs make their homes? How do caterpillar eggs stick to leaves?

   Welcome to Episode #151 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re joined by the wonderful Justin Pollard, historian and author, to help us uncover a curious question from the past—how did the ancient Egyptians blow their noses? Then, we’ll burrow into the world of wildlife to discover how hedgehogs build their cozy homes. And finally, we’ll take a closer look at tiny caterpillar eggs—how do they stick so securely to leaves? Get ready for another fascinating episode packed with history, nature, and amazing facts! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

9. 

   6 Mar 2025 · 17 min

   #150 How do we know about the Kraken? w/ Katherine Rundell. How do sea creature not get water in their eyes? How many metres deep is the ocean?

   Welcome to Episode #150 of Everything Under the Sun! To mark the special occasion of 150 episodes, we've have a special giveaway! Make sure to listen closely for details. This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Katherine Rundell—award-winning author and adventurer—to help us uncover the legend of the Kraken! How do we know about this mysterious sea monster, and could there be any truth behind the tales? Then, we’ll dive into the fascinating world of marine life to answer: how do sea creatures keep water out of their eyes? And finally, we’ll explore the depths…

10. 

    28 Feb 2025 · 15 min

    #149 How do underwater volcanoes erupt w/ Robin George Andrews. Why does lava not melt volcano's rocks? Why are dolphins so clever?

    Welcome to Episode #149 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re joined by the incredible Robin George Andrews, an experimental volcanologist, to help us uncover the mysteries of underwater volcanoes—how do they erupt beneath the waves? Then, we’ll dive even deeper into the world of volcanoes to answer a fiery question: why doesn’t lava melt a volcano’s own rocks? And finally, we’ll explore the intelligence of one of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures—why are dolphins so clever? Get ready for another thrilling episode packed with…